Scottish & Irish Dream

PLEASE NOTE: Flight from Edinburgh to Dublin is not included.

Day 1: Glasgow City Tour

Your trip begins as soon as you arrive to Glasgow Airport when a group hotel transfer will leave Glasgow Airport at the following times; 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon to take you to your hotel. At 2:30 pm a coach tour will take you around Glasgow to see red sandstone Victorian buildings, delightful parks and Glasgow Cathedral, you can also view extensive collections in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Upon returning to your hotel, chat with your tour director over a welcome drink before dinner. (D)

Day 2: Loch Lomond Cruise & Inveraray Castle

In the morning, drive along the banks of Loch Lomond and embark on a short cruise to experience the views of the Highland peaks before taking a guided tour around Inveraray Castle, an imposing home built by the Campbell family between 1746 and 1789 and browsing around the town nearby. That afternoon drive through Glen Coe, a breathtaking valley made famous by the Campbells’ massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692 to Ballachulish on the coast. (B, D)

Day 3: Isle of Skye & Clan Donald Centre

Today travel on the well known “Road to the Isles” through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery. Don’t forget your cameras as you stop at the well known Glenfi nnan Monument. Continue the day with a ferry trip to the Isle of Skye and a visit to the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle to discover the history of the Lords of the Isles. On the Island, drive and enjoy the scenery, returning to the mainland by bridge. There is more opportunity for photos during this journey, as you stop for photos at the famous Eilean Donan Castle and pass through the wild Highland countryside and Loch Ness to your hotel in Nairn. (B, D)

Day 4: Culloden Battlefield & Glenfi ddich Distillery

Begin the morning with a visit to the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about Bonnie Prince Charlie’s defeat by British Government forces in 1746, before driving on to the Speyside region, where many of Scotland’s famous distilleries are located. Pause of a break at the Speyside Cooperage, which produces fine casks from American oak using traditional methods and tools before continuing on a few miles further to tour the Glenfiddich Distillery and enjoy a “wee dram.” Upon leaving here, drive to your 19th century manor house hotel in Blairs. (B, D)

Day 5: Royal Deeside & Afternoon Tea

Today, drive through “Royal Deeside”- the charming River Dee Valley that was made popular by Queen Victoria. On your journey, pass Balmoral Castle where the Royal Family spends the month of August and visit the lovely Crathie Church. Stop and enjoy the areas of Braemar, renowned for Highland games, and Ballater, where shops bear the Royal Warrant, before stopping again to sample afternoon tea with delicious freshly-baked scones at the Falls of Feugh, a charming tea shop, where you will also enjoy a talk on Highland life. (B, D)

Day 6: St. Andrews & Coast of Fife

This morning travel across the Tay Bridge to St. Andrews, the “Home of Golf” and see the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course. Whilst there enjoy some free time to visit the British Golf Museum. Upon leaving here travel on, past “East Neuk” fishing villages and stop for a tranquil walk in quaint Anstruther before continuing on south to Edinburgh, where you will check in to your hotel. That evening, take a tour of Edinburgh’s hidden gems before dining at a waterside restaurant in Leith. (B, D)

Day 7: Edinburgh Castle & City Tour

This morning explore Edinburgh and compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200 year-old “New Town” with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile, the oldest part of the city. Tour the impressive Edinburgh Castle and its historic buildings and enjoy the splendid views of the city. That afternoon and evening enjoy some free time and spend how you would like. Please note that on July 29 to August 19 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)

Day 8: Fly to Dublin

Today, transfer to Edinburgh Airport for the one-hour flight to Dublin. [Please note that as this flight to Dublin is not included in the land-only price, you must ensure that you have an airline ticket for this segment.] Upon arrival at Dublin Airport, transfer to your hotel. That afternoon, take advantage of using your independent open-top bus tour voucher with a Guinness Store House or Jameson Distillery visit and tasting. These features are valid for 24 hours. That evening you are free to dine independently and spend as you would like. (B)

Day 9: Dublin Touring & Burlington Cabaret

This morning can be spent at you wish, whether you decide to continue to use your open-top bus tour voucher or go shopping in Grafton Street. That afternoon at 2:00 pm meet a local guide and tour central Dublin to see Trinity College, where the renowned Book of Kells is housed; Dail Eireann, seat of government; and rows of elegant Georgian houses, as well as take a guided tour through Dublin Castle’s elegant State Apartments. That evening dine at the great Burlington Cabaret right in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 10: Blarney Castle & Killarney

Upon departing Dublin, travel south, stopping briefly at the stately Rock of Cashel before continuing your drive south to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Whilst at Blarney, visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish-made goods. Leaving Blarney, drive into the mountainous scenery of County Kerry to Killarney, a picturesque place set beside lakes and mountains. Check in to your hotel and relax before dinner and afterwards if you are not too tired, head to a “singing pub.” (B, D)

Day 11: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience

Start the day with a drive of the Ring of Kerry – a winding route with breathtaking views of mountains and coastline. During your travels, taste farm life as a local farmer demonstrates how dogs herd flocks of sheep. Later that day, cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience which describes austere monastic life on the nearby islands, before returning to Killarney, pausing momentarily at Moll’s Gap to appreciate the stunning views. (B, D)

Day 12: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle

Today take the ferry across the River Shannon Estuary to view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Later that day check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel, located very close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and enjoy free time before you head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable medieval style feast. A wonderfully entertaining night, evocative of the middle Ages, the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music during your meal. (B, D)

Day 13: Shannon Airport or Galway Extension

For those on the 13-day tour, you will take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. For passengers on the 14-day tour, you will drive along the famous Galway Bay and on to see locally quarried marble at the Connemara Marble Factory. Here you will enjoy tea and scones before taking a panoramic tour around Galway and looking around the city before travelling back to Dublin. On arrival to Dublin, check into a different hotel and that evening you are free to spend as you wish. (B)

Day 14: Depart from Dublin Airport

Check out of your hotel and use your taxi transfer to arrive in Dublin Airport in ample time to check in for your flight. After check in, enjoy the time to shop at the duty-free before boarding the aircraft for the journey home. (B)

2013 Scottish & Irish Dream - 13 Days/12 Nights

What's Included

Group transfers at start and end of tour
Sightseeing by luxury coach
Services of professional tour director
12 or 13 nights in hotels listed below
Full breakfast daily except on day 1 (B)
10 dinners (D) including:
- Scottish Highland Cabaret
- Prezzo Italian Restaurant in Leith,
near Edinburgh
- “Ragus” cabaret and dinner
at the Burlington Hotel
- Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
- 6 table d’ hôte dinners
Welcome get-together drink
Tours of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin
Scenic cruise of Loch Lomond
Ferry to the Isle of Skye
Glenfiddich Distillery tour and tasting
Tea and scones at Falls of Feugh
Twilight tour of Edinburgh
Edinburgh Military Tattoo on July 29 to August 19 departures
Sheepdog trials on Ring of Kerry
Ferry ride across the River Shannon
Dublin open-top bus tour with a visit and drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
Visits and admissions to Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Inveraray Castle, Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle, Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Speyside Cooperage, Crathie Church, Glamis Castle, St. Andrews, Edinburgh Castle, Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher and Connemara Marble Factory

Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap

All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Your hotels:

Superior first class:

• Menzies Hotel, Glasgow (1 night)
• Isles of Glencoe Hotel, Ballachulish (1 night)
• The Newton Hotel, Nairn (1 night)
• Ardoe House Hotel, Blairs (2 nights)
• Macdonald Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh(2 nights)
• Burlington Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
• Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
• Academy Plaza Hotel, Dublin (1 night – 14-day tour only)

Images

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